Village Reduces Steps for Some Business Permits

Village Board trustees approved a time-saving measure for businesses applying for permits at their board meeting in April.

In the future, John Spoden, director of Community Development, will have the authority to approve about one-third of the items previously presented to the Appearance Review Commission. Spoden was given the authority because he is the staff liaison to the village board for ARC. Some of the items he can approve include changes to signs, fencing, landscaping and lighting.

Spoden says the move reduces the time of ARC meetings, which typically last three hours. The Community Development Department writes a report with their recommendation for each application. Having the authority to approve routine changes saves time for both Spoden’s department and members of the ARC.  

Spoden and staff members will meet once a week to decide which items to approve and which needs to be forwarded to the ARC.

The new ordinance will be reviewed in six months to see if it does save time.

“I hope it goes as well in practice as in theory,” said Trustee Donna Johnson.